! ! Cheshire County Cricket League 2016 NEWSLETTER: WEEK 22 – SEPTEMBER 17 ! Relegation heartbreak for Macc; Alderley get their trophy ON the day chairman David Humpage handed Alderley Edge the ECB Premier League trophy they had clinched a week earlier, the principal drama was played out at Macclesfield in their key relegation battle against Nantwich. Watched by probably the largest league crowd of the season, the game was vital to both clubs, desperate to retain their premiership status, the Dabbers enjoying a slender six points advantage at the toss. Needing to force the pace, Macc did well to total 200-8, John Birchall 35, James Cross 32, Jimmy Warrington 4-66. Ryan Brown (47) apart, Nantwich failed to put down any anchors after tea and with the whole season coming to a climax, they were in trouble at 143-8 with eight overs left. Amid several stoppages to clear up the complicated points situation, Ben Johnston (29) and Jimmy Warrington (21) showed great skill by holding out against aggressive bowling and fielding to add 30 runs in a crucial unbroken partnership to close on 173-8, Rob Porter 4-48. This meant Macc pocketed 12 points and Nantwich six, the teams finishing level on 242. So the Dabbers stayed up having won five games to their hosts’ four. After finishing second to champions Hyde last season, this has been a disappointing campaign for Ray Doyle’s team, but the loss of Liam Livingstone to Lancashire and an ankle injury which laid low star bowler Jimmy Warrington until July were major setbacks. Macc have relied too much on all-rounder John Birchall and Aussie batsman Nick Bertus. Amid chairman Simon Griffiths’ untiring efforts to improve the ground (new net facility, scorers box, groundsman’s building, etc.), Macc need Sydneysider Bertus back for a third season if they are to return to the top flight at the first attempt. Champions finish 25 points clear Alderley’s victory margin at the top of the table is 25 points following their two-run final match defeat by closest rivals Bowdon at South Downs Road. Bowdon totalled 173, skipper Simon Marshall 80, Aaron Smillie 5-72. Charlie Reid then held the ‘Edge reply together with an unbeaten 51, but the last wicket fell at 171, Lancashire coach Glen Chapple taking 5-28. The game was sponsored by former Bowdon skipper - and League chairman - John Savin, over from his North Wales home. Champions in 2014-2015, but less consistent this time, Hyde clinched third place with a 158-run home victory over Bramhall. Danny Berrry scored 45 and Harry Dearden – back from his first-class debut with Leicestershire – 44 in Hyde’s 247-8, Dan Lamb 4-72. Bramhall were then bustled out for 89 by Will Walker 4-32 and Jason Whittaker 4-47. Inconsistent Chester trounced Cheadle by 10 wickets at Kingsway in a disappointing farewell for home skipper Paul Sperring, off to play at Woodford. They were all out for 82, Will Owen 4-22. CBH replied with 85-0 inside 10 overs, the premiership’s top scorers Rick Moore 50 (final tally 966) and Warren Goodwin (874), 32 speeding them home. Timperley ensured their premiership status with a winning draw at Toft after posting 191-8, Asif Iqbal 53, Pete Talbot 4-51. Toft were in trouble at 79-7 before James Drummond, 53 and Joe Stanley, 37 saw their side to safety at 149-7. Struggling near the foot of the table a month ago, Neston finished fifth after their victory at bottom club Urmston. Simon Stokes top scored with 52 in Neston’s 173, Matt Parkinson 5-33, before the Us closed 43 short in response at 130. Veteran seam bowler Chris Finegan claimed 5-29 for Neston which will hopefully persuade him to continue for another season. !SEPTEMBER 17 NEWSLETTER: p2 Didsbury clinch Division One title DIDSBURY duly clinched the First Division title and returned to the Premiership after a three-year absence, beating Bollington by seven wickets at Wilmslow road. Bolly mustered 113, skipper Rick Hough 33, Peter Henshall 32, consistent wicket-takers Nick Anderson claiming 4-29 and Simon Normanton 3-28. Tim Hughes’ fluent 42 and a useful unbeaten 29 from outstanding all-rounder Normanton saw the leaders home for fully-justified celebrations with more than 30 overs to spare. Didsbury finished up three points clear of Grappenhall, who illustrated their right to return to the top layer after one year’s absence with their 14th win, the most in the top two divisions. They restricted Oxton to 150-9, wicket-keeper Marc Debrabender contributing an unbeaten 91 as he carried his bat through the innings. Nine of Oxton’s other batsman failed to reach double figures against the spin bowling Adam Roylance with a career best 6-34. Peter Barnes’ unbeaten 72 later led Grappenhall to victory at 151-6. Oulton Park finish a worthy third after a nine wickets win at lowly Warrington, whom they bowled out for 94, Brad McIntosh 40. Kiwi Sam Blandford took 5-27 to wind up as the league’s top wicket-taker on 65. Park replied with 97-1, the consistent Martyn East 61 not out, while Danny Leech’s innings of 21 renders him the leading run-scorer in the division with a tally of 833, bringing back memories of this fine left-hander in his youthful prime. Weaverham finish a creditable fourth, although they were held to a draw at home by relegated Cheadle Hulme. Weaverham posted the division’s highest summer tally of 318-4, the highlight being a third wicket partnership of 196 between Kevin Waterhouse 123 (12 fours and two sixes) and Wilden Cornwall 133 (12 fours and 10 sixes). This could be the brilliant Antiguan all-rounder’s last season at Wallerscote road, which would be a major blow to the club – and the league. Cheadle Hulme replied with a courageous 259-9, Jordan Potts leading the way with 50 and Salman Malik 43. Rob McMillan (3-68) was one of 10 bowlers used by skipper Ian Eaton to try and dislodge the tail. Davenham ended a decent campaign with a four wickets home win over Marple, who scored 155 batting first, Andrew Hall 73, George Pearson 55, the other nine batsmen failing to reach double figures against Robin Taylor, 5-55 and Ryan Blackie, 3-24. Their South African star Givon Christian led the Davenham reply of 157-6 with a knock of 58, while the evergreen Andy Greasley took 3-25. Relegated Tattenhall produced their second victory of the season – and first since May 28 - at Sale, who scored 216 batting first, Brooke Guest 111 not out, Ryan Spann 4-41, Stuart Sadler 4-57. Young Aussie Brett Siebert led Tatters’ charge after tea, his magnificent unbeaten 150 highlighting a seven wickets win. ! CHAMPIONS ARE HELD RUNAWAY Division Two champions Widnes were held to a draw in their last match by the much-improved Christleton, but still finish with the most points of any club in the league at 426. Widnes declared at 256-7, openers Marcus Fourie 90 and Matt Burns, 53 putting on 138. Christleton dug in to reply with 194-8, Ollie Morgan-Jones 58. Promoted Upton’s 13th victory was by the narrow margin of two wickets at Alvanley. They replied with 123-8 to their hosts’ 122, Matt Ingram taking 6-44. Mike Rowlands scored 41 and took 3-45 for the losers. A creditable third placing goes to Stockport, who won a high-scoring game at Lindow by one wicket with nine balls remaining. Arpan Desai and Ryan O’Brien both scored 71 in Lindow’s handsome 246. The Cale Green men then responded with 248-9, Shea Gribben 87, Adam Porter 80. Brooklands beat departing Middlewich by 147 runs at Georges Road after rattling up 223, Jack Brighouse 52, Phil Parry 4-50. Winners of only one game all season, Middlewich were bowled out for 76, Caleb Jones 5-27 There were 481 runs scored at Moss Farm where Northwich finished on a high and in the top half of the table with a six wicket victory over Congleton, who depart to play in the UK Fast League. They could soon be back with this kind of effort. Tom Leese hit 102 and Jack Higginbotham 57 in the Bears’ tally of 240-5. Northwich responded with 241-4, Sam Stoneley’s 154 from 86 balls (nine fours and 16 sixes) being the summer’s highest individual score in the division. Stoneley, whose ton came up in just 59 balls and Sri Lankan Chandra Wathukarage, 48 added 150 for the second wicket. Like Lindow, Barrow completed a satisfsctory first season in the league with a nine wickets home victory over struggling Mobberley, who were restricted to 126-8, Nathan Wood 45. Jamaican Marlon Barclay cracked an unbeaten 84 for Barrow, enjoying an opening partnership worth 105 with the club’s star all-rounder Iro De Silva, 42. ! !SEPTEMBER 17 NEWSLETTER: p3 ! DETAILS OF FINAL GAMES…. ! !ECB Premier League At South Downs Road: BOWDON (won toss, 25 pts.) beat ALDERLEY EDGE (6 pts.) by 2 runs: Bowdon 173 (45 overs: S Marshall 80, J Teasdale 31, A Smillie 5-72); ! Alderley Edge 171 (51 overs: C Reid 51no, G Chapple 5-48) At Kingsway: CHEADLE (won toss, 0 pts.) lost to CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL (25 pts.) by 10 wickets: Cheadle 82 (33 overs: W. Owen 4-22, A. Davis 3-40); ! Chester 85-0 (9.5 overs: R Moore 50no, W Goodwin 32no). At Werneth Low: HYDE (won toss, 25 pts.) beat BRAMHALL (3 pts.) by 158 runs: Hyde 247-8 (55 overs: D Berry 45, H Dearden 44, R Brierley 42, T Partridge 33, R Waterhouse 31, D.